Thoughts on How to Fix the NBA All-Star Game

The NBA All-Star Game has become a bore. Sure, the highlight-reel dunks are fun to watch, but the game itself has no energy, with players refusing to play defense and not wanting to exert too much effort or risk injury.

Commissioner Adam Silver attempted to remedy the problem by revising the team selection to involve two captains, the highest vote-getters, drafting their teams that will face off on Feb. 18. The process added a new layer of intrigue to the All-Star Game and will hopefully drive up ratings.

Stephen Curry and LeBron James were the two team captains, and they drafted their teams in secret; the teams were revealed, but the order of players drafted was not. The draft also could have been televised to create more storylines in the NBA, creating mini-rivalries and beef between players and even teammates. These added storylines could drive up excitement and competition in the All-Star Game.

For example, former Cleveland Cavaliers teammates Kyrie Irving and LeBron James and former Oklahoma City Thunder teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will be reunited on Team LeBron. It also allows players to play with people they would not otherwise get a chance to. Within the teams, players can also use the All-Star Game as a sales pitch to prospective free agents.

However, there is another way the All-Star Game can improve even more. Bill Simmons, founder and CEO of The Ringer, proposed an alternative format. He suggested they create five teams, selected by five captains, and then they proceed to play games of pickup basketball.

This is a great idea. Players love to compete, and pickup basketball is the purest form of basketball competition. In a pickup setting, players might be more likely to compete, and with five teams, they would be on the court for less time, thus decreasing their odds of getting injured. Throw in a cash prize for the winning team to further incentivize them, and the All-Star Game might become competitive again.

Team LeBron looks like the favorites in this format. They have the best player in the world, an interior presence and versatile big in Davis, a shooter in Beal, and the reigning NBA MVP in Russell Westbrook.

Team Curry would also have five capable shooters and be a fun team to watch, Team Harden would have a nice blend of size, shooting and skill players, Team Durant would be led by length and athleticism, and Team Giannis would have great shooting and versatile, skilled forwards.

Ultimately, the NBA needs to discover a way to renew the competitive atmosphere to the All-Star Game. Experimenting with new formats and organization of teams is necessary. The new format is a nice change, and it will soon be determined whether or not it is successful. If not, Adam Silver and the NBA may need to keep trying.

(Bonus: I am picking Team LeBron to win this year’s All-Star Game.)

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The Point

As another school year comes to an end, students across PLNU are scrambling to finalize their summer jobs, internships, classes and journeys home. A few students, however, have different plans in store for the long-awaited break as part of PLNU’s Worship Arts program.

Every year, PLNU’s Summer Ministry Teams (SMT) go out as traveling bands to Nazarene camps and local churches throughout California, Arizona, New Mexico and Hawaii to serve and worship together for a number of weeks.

This summer is no exception, with two SMT teams, long-term and short-term, composed of PLNU students of all levels, who have committed to taking worship to a whole new level.

“This will be my third, and last, summer doing SMT,” said junior Sarah Matter, who is the team leader and drummer of the long-term SMT team Selah. “It’s honestly an indescribable experience; to have the chance to be immersed in what I love to do while being surrounded by people who have become like family to me is something that I will cherish for years to come.”

While the majority of their time will be spent traveling and performing worship, each team will also be able to interact and spend time with the kids, young adults and staff at each camp and local church.

“As much as I love the music and the worship aspect of what we do on SMT, I would say that getting to meet and hang out with so many different and amazing people is one of my favorite parts of the entire experience,” said junior Aaron Yoshida, who is a part of this year’s short-term SMT team. “I can’t wait to grow and be inspired by the people we will encounter just as much as our team will hopefully inspire them through our music and worship.”

In just a few short weeks, both Summer Ministry Teams will have the opportunity to take PLNU into the places and to the people that not all students are able to reach. Through worship, fellowship and the making of lifelong memories, PLNU’s SMT teams are ready to make a difference and make great music, too.